Telegraph receiving distributor system



Nov. 19, 1946. E. R. LEROY ET Al.

TELEGRAPH RCEIVING DISTRIBUTOR SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 28, 1944 E. R. LE ROY L. BUSH ATTOR NEY NOV. 19, 1946. E, R, LEROY ET AL 2,411,441

TELEGRAPH RECEIVING DISTRIBUTOR SYSTEM ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 19, A1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELEGRAPH RECEIVING DISTRIBUTOR SYSTEM Everett R. Leroy, New York, and George L. Bush, Flushing, N. Y., `assignors to The Teleregister Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 28, 1944, Serial No. 547,001

improved distributor apparatus for applying such` signals in proper order to a receiving device.

In telegraph communication systems for certain types of services, it is highly important that the receiving equipment be compact and light in weight, 'and such equipment should not require the use of rotary receiving distributors for applying the received signals to a recorder or other receiving device. For example, in radio cornmunication between airports and airplanes the matter of size, weight and simplicity of the receiving apparatus required in the planes is of great importance. In telegraph printer distributor systems in which rotatable distributors are required, this means that distributor driving motors must be provided in the aircraft, together with a Special source of power therefor, such that the motors will run at a constant speed substantially in synchronism with the incoming signals, and furthermore means must be provided for synchronizing and orienting such distributor apparatus with respect to the received signals. If relay distributors of the type heretofore known wereemployed inlieu of rotary distributors for receiving the incoming signals, such distributors would necessarily have groups of counting chain relays and the disadvantage that for the reception of each character signal pulse there is required the operate time of the counting circuit plus the operate time of the switching circuit plus the length of the pulse received, and thus such distributors would reduce the rate at which incoming signals mal7 be received.

In accordance with the instant invention a receiving distributor system is provided in which the switching circuit `for distributing the signal pulses is immediately set in motion to prepare for the reception of the next signal pulse and the registration of the instant signal pulse on the storage equipment is started at the same time, these two operations commencing substantially simultaneously. An extremely short interval only is required after the termination of each pulse to allow the receiving circuit to release before the next signal pulse can be received, since the circuit for receiving the succeeding signal pulse is prepared at the time that the instant pulse is being received, while at the same time there is no ypossibility of `two signals being registered for a single pulse received. H

One of the objects of the invention is a receiving distributor system in which the disadvantages of both the rotary type Vdistributor and relay type distributor heretofore proposed are obviated, and in which the signals are properly received regardless of any variation in the rate at which they are transmitted.`

Another object of the invention is an improved telegraph system in which the message characters may be transmitted at a high rate of speed by means of marking and spacing pulses separated by slight intervals or no-current conditions, and in which the speed at which such signals may be transmitted is not reduced by any. appreciable time lag in the receiving relay distributor apparatus.

Any additional object is a receiving' distributor apparatus in which no rotating parts are re'- quired and in which synchronization of the`receiv` ing apparatus with respect to the transmitting apparatus need be eiiected only at infrequent intervals.

Still another object of the invention is a re` ceiving distributor in which circuits for the reception of a succeeding signal pulse are prepared simultaneously with the reception of an immediately preceding or instant signal pulse, for distributing the pulses to the proper elements ofV the receiving device.

A further object is a receiving distributor in which the time lag inthe distributor transfer relay circuits is reduced so that it is practically negligible.

These and other objects of.--the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of two embodiments thereof, in which: 1

Fig. l illustrates transmitting and receiving distributor apparatus, adapted for line wire transmission, constructed in accordance with the prin-` ciples of the instant invention; p

Fig. 2 illustrates diagrammatically a radio transmitting and receiving system embodying the principles of the invention, the figure showing receiving apparatus adapted to be employed with the receiving circuit of 'Figl with certain modi` cationstherein; and Y Fig. 3 shows one of the modiiications required in the circuit of Fig. 1 to adapt the receiving circuit for radio reception. l

Referring now to Fig. 1 of` the drawings, theA upper portion thereof shows transmitting apparatus which, in the embodiment illustrated, employs a tape transmitter TT, having transmitting contacts C which operate between marking con- 3S tacts M and spacing contacts S in known manner, depending upon the perforations in the tape, to transmit permutation code marking and spacing pulses. The marking contacts M are shown con-- nected to a source of negative battery 1, and the spacing contacts S are connected to a source of positive battery 6, whereby the spacing pulses are positive in polarity and the marking pulses are negative in polarity, although it will be understood that the polarity of these pulses may be re.- versed if desired. The tape transmitter may be of any suitable type known in the art, for eX- ample, as illustrated in the Benjamin Patent No. 1,298,440, issued March 25, 1919. `From the transmitting tongues or contacts C of `the `tape transmitter the polar marking and spacing pulses are applied to ve transmitting segments of the segmented ring I of a transmitting distributor TD, the transmitting segments being separated by blank segments I2. This distributor is of the type employing a rotatable brush B which is controlled by a start magnet SM in known manner, the signals applied to the segments of ring I0 being transmitted as brush B revolves, through the brush to the solid transmitting ring II and thence over the telegraph line L. If desired, a combined tape transmitter and distributor embodying the foregoing elements may be employed, various of which are known in the art, and one of which is disclosed in the patent to Potts No. 2,057,111, issued October 13, 1936, except that the segmented ring of the transmitting distributor is modified by the interposition of the blank segments I2 to provide an open or 11o-marking condition which inserts short intervals between suc'- cessive marking and spacing pulses. The operation of the distributor TD and also of the tape transmitter TT may be controlled in known manner, as by a tight tape switch TTS, which controls the circuit of the distributor start magnet SM. Thetight tape switch is` controlled by a. loop of perforated tape T which is fed through the transmitter TT in known manner, the tape issuing either directly from a periorator or a storage supply of tape which is perforated in permutation code in accordance with the messages to be transmitted.

A source of negative battery I3 normally is connected, by means of contact elements I4, to the rest or stop segment S of the distributor, so that a marking signal normally is applied to the line L when the transmitter is at rest. Battery I3y also is applied, through switch contacts I5, andthe contacts of the tight tape switch TTS to the start magnet SM whenever there is a suiiicient length of tape `t in the loop of the tight tape switch. It will be understood that when the loop of tape is-sufciently large,v the tight tape switch contacts will be closed andthe start magnet SM energized to release the distributor brush B for rotation.

The switch elements I4 and I5y also are controlled by a synchronizing cam I6 which is driven from a motor I1 at a predetermined rate of Speed such that the high point of cam It will momentarily open contacts I4 and I5 at predetermined time intervals for synchronizing the transmitting 'and Vreceiving apparatus in a manner hereinafter,

anv

mitter brush to come to rest on the stop segment S until the contacts are reclosed by continued rotation of the cam I5. In the form disclosed the transmitting distributor has ve character transmitting segments for the transmission of a five-unit permutation code, although it will be understood that any other suitable'code may be employed, for example, a six-unit code, in which case the number of segments will vary correspondingly.

The receiving distributor shown in Fig. 1 preferably is an electronic distributor in which the receiving end vof the line L has two line relays I9 and 20,A relay I9 being a non-polar type which operates on each marking and spacing signal and 'which controls theY timing of the receiving circuit, whereas relay 24is a polar relay that is biased in any suitable manner, as by a spring I8, so that its armature tends to remain in the spacing position shown. The relay armature is actuated to its lower or Vmarking position whenever a marking signal is received. The polar relay 2i causes the marking pulses received to be stored on pickup relays PUI to PUE on which the intelligence code elements are temporarily stored, the energized ones of the pickup relays representing marking code elements and the deenergized ones of these relays representing the spacing code elements. The control circuit comprises switching relays 3| to 35 and associated grid-controlled gas-filled rectiiiers 4I to 46, which preferably are thyratron tubes, one switching relay and one rectifier being employed for each unit of the code received and for the stop or rest pulse. i

Relay I9 has an upper inner grounded armature 2i and an upper outer armature 22. The inner armature controls the circuit of a slowacting relay 25, `the winding of which is connected to a source of positive battery 26, the circuit being completed to the grounded armature ZI 'when relay I9V is energized. Armature 22 of relay Ziihas a grounded condenser 23 connected thereto, and controls two circuits, as follows: When relay I9 is deenergized, the armature 22- closes' a` circuit comprising a resistance 24 andthe condenser 23 in series in order to discharge the condenser when the relay is in its released position. When relay IS is energized, its armature i12 closes a circuit from grounded condenser 23 to a conductor 21 for the purpose of preparing therespective transfer circuits for operation as the-signal pulses are received. The relay 25 has an armature and make contact 23 which controls the supply of current from the source 26 to a conductor 2-9 that is common to the windings of' the various transfer relays 3l to 36. f

Each of the rst ve transfer relays 3| to 35 hasv yan upper armature and break contact 4U, a lower inner armature 31 which operates betweeny break and make contacts, and a lower outer armature 38 which also operates between break v armature structure is VdiiTerent Vin that-it hasv a` grounded armature 39 and break contact which control a release circuit for the relays PUI rto PUi, The armatures 31 vof the relays 3|' to 35 are connected in chain circuit relation with each other by means of conductorsv k5I to 54, and the armatures 38 of relays 3| ltoi-35 are connected in chain circuit relation with each'other'by means of conductors 64 to 61. ,Each of i the grid-l controlled gas-filled rectiers IllA to 46 lhas a biasing potentiometer or voltage divider 48 which normally 'causes suiiicientV negative potential to bemaintained on'the grids of the tubes so as to 'block'the tubes and prevent them from firing until the negative charges on the grids are reduced during the operation of the system, as hereinafter described, to cause successive iiring of the tubes.

When .the transmitting distributor apparatus is at rest and the distributor brush B is in the position shown, negative marking battery is applied from the source I3, through switch elements I 4, rest segment S, brush B, transmitting ringII and line L to the winding of non-polar relay I9, and thence through the Winding of polar relayxZI! to ground. Relay |9, therefore, remains operated, and polar relay 20 also remains operated'jov its marking position so that its armature 6U rests against its lower contact. Since relay I9 is operated, its armatures I and 22 are energized. Armature 2| and its make Contact holds relay 25 operated and thus positive battery is applied through its armature and make contact 28 and conductor 29 to the energizing windings of relays 3| to 36. Operated armature 22 of relay I9 maintains a circuit from the grounded condenser 23 through armature 22 and its make contact, conductor 21 and thence through the chain circuit which comprises the lower inner armatures 31 and break contact of transfer relays 3| to 35, the break contact of each of the relays being connected to the armature 31 of the immediately preceding relay of the group by means of conductors 5I, 52, 53 and 54. At armature 31 and break contact 0f relay 3i the circuit continues oyer a conductor 55 to the grid bias circuit of the `first rectifier tube 4I.

When `the amount of tape inthe tape loopT decreases sufficiently `so that the tight tape switch contacts close, the start magnet SM will be energized, thereby releasing the distributor brush B `for rotation. As the brush leaves the rest or stop segment S, it passes onto the first dead segment I2, thereby momentarily applying an interval or noi-current condition to the line L. Relays I9 and 28 are, therefore, deenergized and both release, although relay 25 remains energized at this time, since it is of the slow-release type. .'I'he distributor brush then passes onto the first code segment Iv of the distributor. Assuming, for example, that the first intelligence character to be transmitted by the code segments I to 5 of the transmitting distributor is the letter Af the code elements of which are marking, marking, spacing, spacing, spacing, As brush B contacts the rst code segment of ring I 0, a marking pulse of negative polarity will, therefore,- be transmitted over the line L. This causes thereenergization of relays I9 and 20, the arma ture 6I? of the latter relay being actuated to its lower or marking position. The energization of relay I9 causes the grounded condenser 23 to be connected through armature 22 and its lower contact to conductor 21, the circuit continuing through armature 31 and break contact of relay 35,VY conductor 5|, armature 31 and break contact of relay 34, conductor52, armature31 and break Acontact of relay 33, conductor 53, armature 31 and break contact of relay 32, vconductor 54, armature 31 andbreak contact of relay 3|, and conductor 55 to the grid biasing circuit of the tube 4 This, in effect, puts an instantaneous ground on the grid of the tube, which reduces the? negative grid bias formerly maintained on the tube to an extent such that the tube fires. Theznstantaneous ground is removedas soon as condenser 23 `becomes charged, which is of the:

order of 2 milliseconds in time, but once the tube circuit is open.

The operation of polar relay 23 to its marking position connects the grounded condenser 6I fires it remains inthis condition until its plate" through armature 60 to conductor 63, this circuitY continuing through the lower outer armature 38 and break contact of relay 35, conductor 64, ar-

mature 38 and break contact of relay 34, con-f ductor 65, armature and break contact of 38 of relay 33, conductor 66, armature 38 and break contact of relay32, conductor 61, armature 38 and break contact of relay 3|, conductor 9|, and

through the operating winding of relay PUI to negative battery, thereby operating relay PUI by reason of the charging current for the condenser 6I passing through its Winding, The lower inner armatures 83 of the relays PUI to PU5 and 86 of PU are preliminary make armatures which'` engage their associated contacts, when these relays are energized, before the remaining arma" tures ofthe relays engage their contacts. Ener` gization of relay PUI causes its preliminary `make armature 83 to engage its make contact, thereby locking the relay through conductor 84 and grounded armature 85 of relay PUG.

the preliminary make armature 83 of relay PUI engaged its make contact before the armature 38 and break contact of relay 3| opened the en-l` ergizing circuit of PUI. The operating crcuit for relay 3i is from the anode or plate circuit of tube 4I, through upper armature 40 and break contact of relay 32, conductor 58, winding of relay 3I, conducto;` 29, armature 28 and make contact of operated relay 25 to positive battery`2S, which is a source of plate tron tubes. y

The distributor brush B next leaves segment I of ring I8 and passes onto the second dead or blank segment I2 of the ring7 thereby again mo-` of relay I9 causes the grounded condenser 23 to: be connected to the chain circuit which includesV conductor 21 and the armatures 31 ofrelays 35, 34, 33 and 32; from armature 31 of relay 32 the circuit Ycontinues through conductor 54, arma-` ture 31 and upper make contact of operated relay 3| vand conductor 19 to the grid circuit of 'Ihyra tron tube 42. In the same manner as in the firing of tube 4I the condenser 23 applies a momentary` ground to the grid of tube 42 so that the negative biasing potential thereon is reduced to a point such that the tube fires. The second storage relay PU2 operates from the grounded condenser I in the same manner that the first Storage relayPUI operated, the circuit continuing through the armature 69' and lower make contact of polar relay 28, conductor E3, armatures 38 and lower break contacts of relays 35, 34, 33 and 32, conductor 61, armature 33 and upper` make contact of operated relay 3|, Aconductor 92 and operating winding of PUZ to negative battery. The preliminary make armature 83 and contact of PU2 causerelay PU2to lock -up prior to the operation of the second transfer relay 32, this relay operating from the plate battery of the second Thyratron tube A42. Operation of relay 32 opens,"

Relay 3| started to operate as soon as tube 4I red, but` battery for the Thylal ain-1,4m

7 at flits' upper 'armature 4u and break contact, the anode :circuit Afof the 'rst Thyratro'n tube 4 I ,causingthe tube to become vextinguisl'led'and the rst transfer relay 3I to become deenergized. The

,energization of relay 32 prepares, at its operated armature 31 and upper make contact, a path to the Vgrid circuit of the succeeding Thyratron tube 43. Operation of the lower outer larmature 38 of relay 32 transfers the storage circuit from relay PU2 to PU3 over conductor9'3.

As distributor brush B passes onto the next dead segment after the second 'code segment, relays I9 and 20 again are released. The third code segment of distributor ring IIJ applies, when kbrush B traverses the same, positive spacing battery to the line L. This battery will voperate relay I9, but relay 23 does not operate, since it is biased by spring I8 to its spacing position. Operation of relay I9 lcauses the grounded condenser 23 to be applied to the biasing circuit of Thyratron tube 43, thereby causing the tube to re. Transfer relay 33 operates in the manner of the preceding Y relays 3| and 32, but storage relay PU3 is not energized, since relay 23 did not operate to apply the -grounded condenser 6I to the operating circuit of the relay; therefore, relay PU3, which remains deenergized, represents a spacing element of the code pulses thus stored. Relay 33, upon operating, transfers the circuit of condenser 23 to the grid circuit of the succeeding Thyratron tube 44 in a manner heretofore vdescribed and also transfers the storage circuit to the relay PU4 over conductor 94. f

As brush B of the 'distributor reaches the dead segment immediately following the third code segment, the line L is again opened and relay I9 restores. Similarly, as the brush traverses code segments 4 and 5 to which spacing polarity has been applied, the transfer relays 34 and 35 and their associated Thyratrons 44 and 45 successively operate, and storage relays PU4 and PU5 remain unoperated, thereby to store the spacing code elements therein.

At this time the code elements of the complete character, which in this case is the letter A, have been set up on the storage relays PUI to PUE. These relays may apply in any suitable manner the code elements stored therein to a desired receiving device, for example, a tape per-v forator or a telegraph printer of the multiplex type. Such a type of recorder is indicated at the bottom of Fig. 1 by ve selecting or trip latch magnets 91, which devices may represent either the selecting magnets of a telegraph printer or the trip magnets of a perforator. The magnets are selectively energized from battery through their windings and thence through the lower armatures and make contacts 98 of the operated ones of the storage relays PUI to PU5, therebyr storing the five code elements of the signal in the receiving device.

After leaving segment 5 of ring Ill, the dis.- tributor brush B traverses the last dead segment of the ring and then engages the rest segment S -of the ring. The latter causesV negative marking battery again to be ,applied to line L, which again operates relays I9 and 20. The operation of relay I9 causes the grounded condenser 23 to be applied, through the armature 31 and upper make contact of operated relay 35 and through conductor 15, to the grid circuit of the sixth Thyratron tube 46, reducing the negative potential on the grid of the tube to such value as to cause the tube tov re. The operation of the polar relay to its marking position causes fio grounded condenser 6I to be connected through' conductor 63, armature' .38 and upper :make contact of operated relay 35, conductor 93 and the operating winding of relay PUG, to 'negative bate.

tery. 'The latter relay 'operates' and locks up through its preliminary make 'armaturer and associated contact, conductor B1 and grounded armature '39 and break contact of the sixth transfer relay 36. The holding circuit of relay PUB also flocks 'through conductor '82 and the operated armatures of relays PUI and PU2. The operation of relay PUB transfers at its lower ar= mature and break contact, the ground 'from conductor 84 'and transfers the ground through its make contact to a relay 99. This relay, when operated, closes, through its armature I001and make contact, the operating circuit of a vprint magnet or punch magnet PM of a printer or perforator, as the case may be, whereby such a recorder will 'print the `character or perforate the code elements thereof which were stored in .relays `PUI to P and applied to the relays or magnets '91 of the recorder.

Relay V33 operates through the upper armature 43 and break Contact of relay 3l, conductors 18 and 19 and the plate circuit 'of tube 46. The operation of relay 36 at its armature 40 opens the plate circuit of tube 45 and extinguishes the tube and releases transfer relay 35, which restores. The operation of relay 36 at its armature 33 also opens the locking circuit of relay PU, and PUG will restore.

The various elements ofthe receiving distrib' utor are now in the same `condition as they were at the beginning of the cycle of operations, that is, tube 4G is firing `and relays 'I9 and 2U are operated. If the character "A which was just received and stored was the last character of a'. message, the distributor brush B would remain on the rest segment S, and the relays and tubes' of the circuit would remain in the same condition until a subsequent message is received. However, when a second character is transmitted immediately 'after' the rst character, the distributor brush B does not stop but continues through a second 'cycle of operation, in which case the operation of transfer relay 3l opens the plate circuit vof tube 45 and extinguishes the tube and releases relay 35 which partially prepares a locking path for relayV PUB. Subsequent characters of the message are received in the same manner.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the receiving distributor described is adapted to receive and distribute to the printer, perforator or other receiving device the signals of the permutation'code at any rate that Athey may be transmitted, and that the speed of operation of the distributor elements at any time is deter mined solely by the speed at which the incoming signal pulses are receivedat such time, where` by the receiver is adapted to operate at any signal speed either constant or variable. It is thus not necessaryv to maintain `a particular phase relation of the distributing apparatus with respect to the transmitting apparatus, and it is not necessary to synchronize or phase the 'distributor except at remote" intervals, although it` may be desirable to send a synchronizing signal as a precautionary' measure at certain intervals, say:

contacts I4 and I5, it removes the marking bat-- tery'irom the stop'or rest segment S and de'ener--4` `gizes the start magnet -wire line.

ing contacts M of the tape transmitter. spacing tone generator is connected to the spac- .gcontacts.

SM, and this causes the `release of relays I9 and 20 in the receiver and also releases the slow-acting relay 25 so that the source of battery 26 is disconnected from the transfer relays and also from the plate circuits of the Thyratron tubes, whereby each of these elements is restored to its unoperated condition. After the cam I6 has caused contacts I4 and I to be reclosed, negative'marking battery will again be applied to the line through the rest segment S and will cause operation of relays |9 and 20. The operation of relay I9 will again connect the grounded condenser 23 to the grid circuit of the rst Thyratron tube 4I and imomentarily reduce the negative potential thereon, but the tube will not fire Vat this time because slow-acting relayA 25 has not had time to operate so as to apply the plate battery 26 to the Thyratron tubes. The instantaneous ground produced by the connection of condenser 23 to the rst Thyratron tube will not maintain the reduced negative potential on the grid which again assumes such a negative value as to prevent fir- 4ing of the tube before the plate battery supply for the tube is connected by the relay 25.

Fig. 2 shows how the system may be employed with radio communication, and it is especially ground station or Fix to aircraft within thev control area of such a station. `The receiving distributor circuit of Fig. 1, with certain modications as hereinafter pointed out, is adapted to distribute the radio signals generally in the same manner as signals received from an incoming Referring to Fig. 2, there are shown a spacing tone generator and a marking tone generator for generating spacing and marking tone signals under the control of the tape transmitter TT2 and the transmitting distributor TD2. The tongues or contact springs C of TT2 are connected to ve code segments `I to5 of the segmented ring I0 I, which are separated by blank segments. In addition to the code segments, the ring has a rest segment S, and a segment |03 for timing and to provide a pulse for energizing the punch solenoid of a perforator or the print magnet of a printer in the receiving circuit. The marking tone generator is connected by conductor |02 to the segment |03, and also to the mark- The ing contacts S of the tape transmitter. The

marking tone generator produces a. suitable fre'- quency, for example, 1000 cycles, for modulating the radio carrier when marking `signals are transmitted and also when segment |03 transmits a signal. The spacing tone generator pro- "ducesa suitable frequency, for example, 1500 cy- `and audiofrequency signals pass fromtheradio receiver, by means of a4 conductor |08, to an amplier, and thence to audio *band pass filters -where the marking and spacing tone frequencies are separated. The spacing toneifrequencies are'` rectified and applied to a relay H0, and the marking tone frequencies arerectied and applied to a relay II I. Relay ill has an upper armature I4 operating between break and make The armature .is connectedv `ato a -suited for transmission from an air port or other grounded condenser IIB, and the break contact is connected to a grounded resistance IIT. The lower grounded armature ||5 and make contact of relay IIO, and the grounded armature |23 and make contact of relay control the energizing circuit of slow release relay I 2| Relay I|z| also has an upper armature |20 operating `between break and make contacts. The armature iscon.- nected to a grounded condenser |21, and its 'break contact is connected to grounded resistance |26. The lower inner armature |22 operates between break and make contacts; the armature is connected to a grounded condenser |30, and its 4break contact is connected to a grounded resistance I3 I The make contacts associated with armature I4 of relay 0 and armature |20 of relay," III are connected by conductor 21, which extends to Fig. 1, for controlling the operation 'of the Thyratrons 4| to 46 and thetransfer relays 3| to 36. The make contact associated with arma'- ture |22 of relay III is connected by conductor E3, which extends to Fig. 1, for controlling the operation of the storage or pickup relays PUI to PUB.

Slow release relay |2| has an-inner armature |4| and a make contact whichyisconnected" by conductor 29, which extends to Fig. 1, for con'- trolling the application of positive battery from source 26h to the windings of the transfer relays 3| to 34 and 33, an'dlthrough their windings-to the plate circuits of the associated .Thyratrons 'Relay I2| also has an outer armature 42 which isconnected to a grounded condenser |44 and associated with the armature is a `break contact that isiconnectedby conductor I4 which extends to the grid of tube 45 in Fig. 1. Armature`|42 also has a make contact which is connectedt a grounded resistance |43.

When the distributorof Fig. 1 is employed for radio reception, the circuit shown in Fig. 3 is substituted for the circuit Contained within the broken-line rectangle A of Fig. 1 so that positive battery is connected to an inner armature |50 of the relay 35 shown in Fig. 3 instead of to the winding of this relay as shown in Fig. 1. Instead of having battery'applied by means of conductor 29, the winding of relay 35 is perma- 'ner as the line wire circuit of Fig. 1, with the following exceptions: Both the spacing and marking relays ||0 and ||I control, through their armatures and make contacts ||4 and |20, the operation of the Thyratrons 4I to 4B and transfer relays 3| to 36, whereas in the line wire circuit only the non-polar relay I9 and its armature and Amake contact 22 control these relays. The operation of relay through its` armature |22 .and make contact corresponds tothe operation of the polar relay 20 of Fig. 1 in controlling the pickup relays PUI to PUB. Relay |2I, by means of. its armature I 4| and make contact, holds positive battery on the windings of the transfer relays 3| to 35 in the same manner that the armature 28 and make contact of relay 25 hold positive battery on allof Ithe relays 3| to 36.

the tube to fire, in the event that the tube is not already in this condition. The ring of tube 45 causes the energization of relay 35', Fig, 3, which transfers the circuit from the inner make `contacts associated with armatures 4 and |20 of relays ||0 and Fig. 2, over conductors 21 and '|5, to the grid of Thyratron tube 46, whereby when the transmission of signals is resumed the rst signal received will cause firing of tube 46.

When the distributor brush B of distributor TD2 is set into operation by the transmission of a message, the first segment contacted by the brush after it leaves the rest segment isr segment |03, which causes a marking tone signal to be applied to the radio transmitter to modulate the carrier. The receipt of this markingl signal by relay I of Fig. 2 causes the energization of the relay which, through its armature and make 4contact |20 and .the grounded condenser |21, causes a pulse to be appliedV over conductor 21 and thence to the grid of tube 40 to cause the tube to iire. The next segment of ring |0'|` which is contacted by the brush B' is a blank or' nocurrent seg-ment'. TheV ring of tube. 46 and op eration of its associated transfer relay 3S opens the plate c-ircuit of tube 45 which is extinguished and releases transfer relay 35', Fig.. 3, thereby preparing the receiving circuiti for the reception of the next character `to be transmitted. Therelease of relay 3.5' switches the conductor 21 to the chain circuitl comprising the innerl armatures 31 and break contacts of transfer relays 315 tok 35, and thence to the grid circuit ofthe rst. Thyratron tube 4| whereby, when. the next momentary ground is applied tov this circuit, theV tube will re.

When the brush B reaches the rst code segment of ring 0|, and assuming the letter A will be the iirst character of the message, a marking signal will be transmitted while. brush B traversesthefirst code segmentl This marking pulse will be received by the system of Fig. 2 and energizes thel marking relay Ill, This relay, through its armature |20 and make contact, causes the grounded condenser |21 to be connected,v through conductor 27, to the grid circuit of the first; Thyratron tube 4| and applyl a momentary ground to its grid, thereby causing the tube to fire'. As the brush B travels over the blank segment following code. segmentl I, relay |1|| releases. Brush B next reachesv thev second code: segment 2,.-causing a marking signal to be transmitted. This signall again causes the operation of: relay andi applies momentary ground tofthe grid circuit of. Thyratron tube 4t2.

scribed.

When brush B1 passes to the third code: segment 3| ol ringv |0|, a spacing tone is transmitted, and

thisycauses the operation ofi relay l0 at thereceiver. This'relay., through itszarmature ||4f and make. contact, causes a momentary ground to bel2 applied by condenser H6 to the grid circuit. of Thyratron tube 43, causing .the tube to iire. Pickup relay PU3, however, is not energized, thereby causing transmission of.' a spacing pulse to the perforator or printer. Similarly, as the brush B traverses code segments 4 and l5 of ring |0:|1, spacing tones will be transmittedl andreceived to cause the successive ring of Thyratron tubes 44 andz 4,5. After leaving code segmentv 5, brush Bilagain traverses; the stop segments, which causes tube 4B to iii-'e and pickup relay PI'IBto become energized, which releases` pickup relays PUI. to PU5. Pickup relay PUB remains energized until all the relays PUI- to PUS. have been completely released, and as soon as `these relays have been released pickupv relay PUB also releases. Itis to. be noted that slow release relay |2|, Fig, 3, remains energized so long as signals are being transmitted, therebyI to hold positive battery'from source 26h on conductor 2'9 for the operation of the transfer relays and Thyratron tubes. The release of relay |`2 which occurs upon cessation of transmission for a period of time appreciably greater than that required for the transmitter distributor brush to pass two code segments, causes all the apparatus of the receiving distributor to be restored'l to normal, which means .that Thyratron tube 45 is` fired, and thereby ef.- fects synchronization and proper phasing of the receiving distributor; The radio system differs from the line wire system in the respect that normally tube 4'5 is firing, whereas in the line wire circuit tube 46 normally is iiring when no signals are being received.

In certain types `of grid-controlled gas-discharge tubes, the reapplication of plate battery -to the tubes may cause the tubes to re even` though their grids are biased' negatively at the time to prevent firing; To obviate this possibility, resistances 50, which in the circuit illustrated` are of' the order of one megohm each, are connected across the armatures 40 and' associated make contacts of the transfer relays 3| to 36, and resistances 50 of the. order of one-half megohm are connected across the armatures 28 and |4| and associated make contacts of battery supply relays 25 and |21,v so that the plate circuits of the Vtubes arenever completely opened.

Variousmod-ifications of the apparatus and circuit arrangements of the, two specific embodiments shown, and various equivalen-ts. or substitutes for the devices illustrated, will readily occur to those versed. inthe lart. without departing from the spirit or scope of the present, invention. The disclosure, therefore, isfor the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention, which is not to be. regarded as limited except as indicated. by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Ina telegraph system in which permutation code signals are transmitted by marking and spacing pulses separated by intervals, a receiving distributor circuit responsive toy said pulses comprising a plurality of gas-iilleddischarge tubeshaving control electrodes, relay means responsive to` said marking4 andl spacing pulses for applying a ring potential to the control electrodes of said tubes as; the marking and spacing elements. of. each signal are received, transfer relays, controlled bythe anode circuits: of, said tubes for connecting said relayv means to said tubes successively to cause the tubes to. re in predeterminedA order, and means controlled joint'- -1y by said relay means and said tubes for storing the marking and spacing code elements of each 'character signal received. Y

2. In a telegraph system in which permutation code signals are transmitted by marking and spacing pulses separated by intervals, a receivi ing distributor circuit responsive to said pulses comprising a plurality of grid-controlled gaslled discharge tubes having control electrodes,

relay means responsive to said marking and spacing pulses for applying a ring potential to the control electrodes of said tubes as the marking and spacing elements of each signal are received, transfer relays controlled by the anode circuits of said tubes for connecting said relay means to said tubes successively to cause the tubes f to lre in predetermined order, means controlled jointly by said relay means and said tubes for storing the marking and spacing code elements of each character signal received, a signal recording device and means for applying said stored signals to said recording device.

3. In a telegraph system in which permutation code signals are transmitted by polar marking and spacing pulses separated by intervals, a receiving distributor circuit responsive to said pulses comprising a plurality of gas-filled discharge tubes having control electrodes, means including Va relay responsive to said marking pulses and a cessively to cause the tubes to fire in predetermined order, and relays controlled jointly by said relay means and `said tubes for storing the marking and spacing code elements of each character signal received.

4. In a start-stop telegraph system in vvhich permutation code signals are transmitted by marking and spacing pulses separated by intervals, a receiving distributor circuit responsive to said pulses comprising a plurality of gas-iilled discharge tubes having control electrodes, relay means responsive to said mark-ing and spacing pulses for applying a ring potential to the control electrodes of said tubes as the marking "and spacing elements of each signal are received, transfer relays controlled by the anode circuits of said tubes for connecting said relay means to said tubes successively to cause the tubes to re in predetermined order, means controlled jointly by said relay means and said tubes for storing the marking and spacing code elements of each character signal received, and means including at least one of said tubes and transfer relays and operative Iafter a character signal has been received for conditioning the distributor circuit for the reception of the next character signal.

5. In a start-stop telegraph system in which permutation code signals are transmitted by marking and spacing pulses separated by intervals, a receiving distributor circuit responsive to said pulses comprising a plurality of gas-filled discharge tubes having control electrodes, relay means responsive to marking and spacing pulses for applying a ring potential to the control electrodes of said tubes as the marking and spacing elements of each signal are received, transfer 'the marking and spacing code elements of each `character signal received, and means comprising at least one of said tubes and transfer relays and responsive t0 a marking pulse received subse- -quent to the reception vof a character signal for conditioning the distributor circuit for the reception of the code elementsof the next character signal.

6. In a start-stop telegraph system in` which permutation code signals are transmitted by marking and spacing pulses separated by intervals, a receiving distributor circuit responsive to said pulses and a stop pulse comprising a plurality of gas-nlled discharge tubes having control electrodes, relay means responsive to said marking and spacing pulses and said stop pulse for applying a, firing potential to the control electrodes of said tubes as the marking and spacing elements of each signal are received, transfer relays controlled by the anode circuits of said tubes for connecting said relay means to said tubes successively to cause the tubes to fire in predetermined order, means controlled jointly by said relay means and said tubes for storing the marking and spacing code elements of each character signal received, and means comprising at least one of said tubes and transfer relays and respontubes for connecting said relay means to said sive to a stop pulse for conditioning the distributor circuit for the reception of the code elements of the next character signal.

7. In a start-stop telegraph system in which permutation code signals are transmitted by marking and spacingpulses separated by intervals, a receiving distributor circuit responsive to said pulses comprising a plurality of gas-filled discharge tubes having control electrodes, relay means responsive to said` marking and spacing pulses for applying a ring potential to the control electrodes of said tubes as the marking and spacing elements of each signal are received, transfer relays controlled by the anode circuits of said tubes for connecting said relay means to said tubes successively to cause the tubes to fire in predetermined order, means controlled jointly by said relay means and said tubes for storing the marking and spacing code elements of each character signal received, and means for maintaining one of said tubes fired during the interval following the reception of a character signal for conditioning the distributor circuit` for the reception of the next character signal.

8. In a telegraph system in which permutation code signals are transmitted by marking and spacing pulses separated by intervals, a receiving distributor circuit responsive to said pulses comprising a plurality of grid-controlled gaslled discharge tubes, a capacitative circuit and relay means responsive to said marking and spacing pulses for causing said capacitative circuit momentarily to apply a firing potential to said tubes as the marking and spacing elements of each signal are received, transfer relays Ycontrolled by the anode circuits of said tubes for connecting said relay means to said tubes successively t0 cause the tubes to iire in predetermined order, and relays controlled jointly by said relay means and said tubes for storing the marking and spacing code elements of each character signal received. p

9. In a telegraph system in which permutation code signals are transmitted by marking and spacing pulses separated by intervals, a receiving distributor circuit responsive to said pulses comprising a plurality of grid-controlled gaslled discharge tubes, means for normally main- ^15 taining negative potential on the .grids of said tubesv to` prevent ring of the tubes, means comprising al condenser and relay controlled means responsive to said pulses for causing said condenser momentarily to reduce the negative potential on the grids of certain of said tubes to cause firing thereof as the marking and spacing elements of each signal are received, transfer relays controlled by the anode circuits of said tubes for connecting saidY relay means and said condenser to certain of said tubes to cause the -tubesto fire in predetermined order, and means controlled jointly by said relay means and said tubes for storing the marking and spacing code .elements of each character signal received.

10., In a telegraph system in Which permutation code signals are transmitted by marking and .spacing pulses separated by intervals, a receiving distributor circuit responsive to said pulses comprising. a plurality of grid-controlled gaslled discharge tubes, means for normally maintaining negative potential on the grids of' said tubes to prevent ring of the tubes, means comprising a condenser and relay controlled means responsive to said marking and spacing pulses for causing said condenser momentarily to apply a ground to the grid biasing circuits of certain of said tubes to cause firing thereof as the marking and spacing elements of each signal are received, transfer: relays controlled by the anode circuits of said tubesfor connecting said relay means and said condenser to certain of said tubes to cause the tubes to re in predetermined order,

and means controlled jointly by said relay means and said tubes for storing the marking and spaczingl code elements of each character signal receiVed.

l1. In a, telegraph system in which permutation code signals are transmitted by marking and spacingpulses separated by intervals, a re- -ceiving distributor circuit responsive to said pulses comprising a plurality of gas-filled discharge tubeshaving control electrodes, relay means responsive to said marking and spacing pulses for applying a firing potential to the control electrodes of said tubes as the marking and spacing elements of each signal are received, transfer relays controlled by the anode circuits of said tubes for connecting said relay means to said tubes successively to cause the tubes to fire in predetermined order, means controlled jointly by said relay means and said tubes for stor- 'ing the marking and spacing code elements of .each character signal received, and means for synchronizing said receiving circuit with the .signal transmitting source comprising a slowacting` relay for controlling the supply of energizing current forV saidtubes, said relay being effective to disable the tubes in response to a synchronizing signal.

12. In a telegraph system in which permutation code signals are transmitted by marking and spacing pulses separated by intervals, a receiving distributor circuit responsive to said .pulses comprising a plurality of gas-filled discharge tubes having control electrodes, relay means responsive to said marking and spacing pulses for applying a firing potential to the control electrodes of said tubes as the marking and lspacing elements of each signal are received, transfer relays controlled by the anode circuits l of saidl tubes for connecting said relay means to said tubes successively to cause the tubes to iire in predetermined order, means controlled jointlyby said' relay means'and said tubes for-,storing the marking and spacing code elements of each 'character signal received, and means for syn- .chronizingsaidreceiving circuit with the signal transmitting source comprising a slow-release relay which when operated suppl-ies energizing current for said tubes, said relay remaining' unloperated to disable said tubes. in response toja synchronizing signalvw-m 13. In a start-stop telegraph system, a transmission line over which permutation code sig'- nals are transmitted by marking and spacing pulses separated by intervals, a receiving` distributor circuit connected to said `line and responsive to said pulses comprising a plural-itypf gas-filled discharge' tubes having control electrodes, a first relay responsive to said marking n,and spacing pulses and a second relay responsive pnly to said marking pulses, said first relay applying a ring potential to the control electrodes of said tubes as the marking and spacing elements of each Vsignal are received, transfer relays controlled by the anode circuits of said tubes for connecting said first relay to said tubes successively to ca-usethe tubes to fire iny predetermined order, and storage devices respectively for storing the marking and spacing code elements of each character signal received, `sai-d second relay controlling the operation of certain of said storage devices.

l 14. In a start-stop telegraph system, a: transmission line over which permutation code signals are transmittedv bymarking and spacingypulses separated by intervals, a receiving'distribu-tor circuit connected to said line and responsive to lsaid pulses comprising a plurality of gas-filled discharge tubes having control electrodes, a'first relay responsive to said marking and spacing pulses and a second relay responsive only to said marking pulses, said first relayY applying a firing potential to the control electrodes of said-.tubes as the marking and spacing elements of eachA signal are received, transfer relays controlled by the anode circuits of saidtubes for connecting said first relay to saidtubes successively to cause the tubes to fire in predetermined order, and storage devicesrespectively for. storing the-marking and spacing code elements of each character signal received, said second relay controlling the application of marking pulses to said storage devices. i

15. In a telegraph system, means for transmitting a radio carrier which is modul-ated by different frequencies respectively representing marking and spacing pulses, means for rece-iving said radio signals comprising means for detecting and filtering out said markingand spacing pulses, a distributor circuit comprising a plurality of gas-filled discharge tubes having control electrodes, means comprising a relay `responsive to said spacing pulses and a relay relsponsive to said marking pulses for applying a firing potential to the control electrodes of said tubes as the marking and spacing elements of each signal are received, transfer relays controlled by the anode circuits of said tubes for connecting said first named relay-s to said tubes successively to cause the tubes to ire in predetermined order, and means controlled jointly by said relays and said tubes for storing the marking and spacing code elements of each character signal received.

EVERETT R. LEROY. GEORGE L. BUSH. 

